Why a move for Aleksandar Mitrovic could help define Newcastle for a decade

According to a report from Chronicle Live Newcastle United remain optimistic about signing Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer.

The latest report claims the Magpies are hopeful a deal can be done for the talented 20-year-old, and if they do ultimately get their man it could be the most significant piece of business the club has done for many a year.

Mitrovic may be young but has all the talent needed to be a goal-scoring superstar – the kind of player Newcastle fans have been crying out for since Alan Shearer hung up his boots.

Some may say it is lazy or foolish to compare the Serbian international to the St James’ Park legend, but there are few young strikers in the world right now who are making waves quite like Mitrovic.

Despite being only 20, he has already scored 43 goals in 89 matches for Anderlecht, bagging 11 assists in the process.

Prior to his move to Belgium he scored 18 goals in 42 matches for Partizan Belgrade and also netted seven in 26 for their affiliated side Teleoptik.

The fact that many of his goals were scored when he was only a teenager tells its own story, speaking volumes about a player who was simply born to put the ball in the net.

Were he to arrive at Newcastle he would not immediately transform them into title-contenders, but he would be a signing that signalled real intent – a player the club’s fans would be able to see develop into one of the world’s best marksmen.

That is certainly what he has the potential to be, and for that reason Newcastle fans will be forgiven for feeling excited at the prospect of his arrival.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.